You Can Scope Out Admirals In Preseason Game Tonight

October 08, 1999|By WARNER HESSLER Daily Press

NORFOLK — Coach John Brophy will give a sneak preview of what could be the highest scoring line in franchise history tonight when his Hampton Roads Admirals play the rival Richmond Renegades in a preseason game at Norfolk. The same teams meet Saturday night in Richmond.

Center Johnny Porco, right winger Rick Kowalsky and left winger Brad Church, all of whom have been productive in previous stints with the Admirals, are back and have been united on a line that is brimming with speed, playmaking and firepower.

Collectively, they have played 255 games in Hampton Roads, ringing up 121 goals, 148 assists and 269 points.

Porco spent the past five seasons playing in Italy, Kowalsky played the better parts of the past five seasons in the American Hockey League and Church left the Admirals before Christmas, when he was traded from Washington to Edmonton.

They're back, and while they most certainly will form the first line, the Admirals are well stocked at the forward positions and Brophy will use this weekend's home-and-home series to trim the roster from 33 players to 22. The regular season begins Oct. 14 in Roanoke.

"The forwards are deeper and better than what we have ever had around here,'' said Brophy, who will guide the team through its 11th and final season in Hampton Roads. An AHL expansion team begins play in 2000-2001.

"There are a few guys who have jobs here this year, no question about that, but there are a lot of jobs on the line this weekend.''

"There are some people who have jobs right now, and they can either keep them or give them away,'' added assistant coach and general manager Al MacIsaac. "It all comes down to this weekend. Some good kids and some veterans may not be around when it's over. These games are do-or-die for a lot of them.''

Though all 33 candidates are expected to see action in at least one of the games, tonight's roster should be close to the one Brophy takes to Roanoke next week.

Rookie Mike Omiciola, a training camp star from Providence College, centers the second line with veteran wingers Dominic Maltais and Collin Pepperall. Rookie Richard Pitirri centers the third line with veteran wingers Rod Taylor and Marty Clapton, and Etienne Drapeau is between wingers Bobby Russell and Albie O'Connell on the fourth line.

The three defensive tandems will be Gerard Adams and Ryan Gillis, Dwight Parrish and Chad Ackerman, and Derek Ernest and Shaun Peet. Jan Lasak, a second-round draft pick by the Nashville Predators, will be in goal.

Warner Hessler can be reached at 247-4648 or by e-mail at whessler@dailypress.com